TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Administrative Bishop of the New Testament Church of God in Jamaica, Rev Dr Wellesly Blair, says Presley Smith, the pastor of the New Testament Church of God in Bunker’s Hill, Trelawny who has been charged with acts of sexual offences, has been withdrawn from pastoral duties.

In a statement issued Sunday night, Rev Blair said the church is saddened by media reports that the pastor has been criminally charged, and pledged to assist the police in their investigations.“The matter is now being investigated by the police, and we will co-operate with the authorities in whatever way they deem appropriate or necessary,” said Rev Dr Blair.He added that the church body wishes to disassociate itself from any unlawful, immoral or reprehensible act unbecoming of a minister.Rev Dr Blair also expressed sympathy to the families affected by the alleged incident and urged the public to “be cognisant of the fact that the pastor involved is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise, and that due process must be followed.”Smith, 27, was charged on Friday after he allegedly committed a number of sexual offences against a 15-year-old male student.

Read: Pastor under sex pressureHe will face the Falmouth Parish Court later this week to answer to charges of buggery, gross indecency, and grievous sexual assault. Mark Cummings